Comeaux, who represents the Bayou L’Ourse area, said the program could benefit residents living in the two areas of the parish most affected by flood water.

“Many homeowners and business owners in these areas are required to purchase flood insurance,” he said. “Costs are continuing to rise. We need to see what we can do to help these people out.”

According to information from FEMA’s website, the Community Rating System is a voluntary incentive program that “recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.”

As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions.

If the parish takes part in the system, Comeaux said, it would be required to address items such as public information, mapping, regulation, flood damage reduction and flood preparedness.

“This includes tracking flooding in areas that have a repeated problem,” Comeaux said.

To accomplish these goals, the parish would have to aggressively pursue grant funding, Comeaux said.

The system rates communities on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being those who are not participating, Comeaux said. The rating then decreases, with a 5 percent drop in flood insurance premiums for each number. A rating of 1 gives the community a 45 percent discount.

Nearby Terrebonne Parish is already taking part in the system, Comeaux said. That parish’s current rating is a 6, which brings a 20 percent discount.

Comeaux said he would schedule a meeting with Terrebonne Parish officials to discuss how that parish operates under the rating system, and if Assumption Parish can do so as well.